US approves $20bn in weapons sales to Israel

It comes at a time of intense concern that Israel may become involved in a wider Middle East war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the state memorial for Ze’ev Jabotinsky, at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem (Naama Grynbaum/AP)

The US has approved 20 billion dollars in arms sales to Israel, including scores of fighter jets and advanced air-to-air missiles, the State Department has announced.

Congress was notified of the impending sale, which includes more than 50 F-15 fighter jets, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles or AMRAAMs, 120mm tank ammunition and high explosive mortars and tactical vehicles.